Story: Waiata hōu – contemporary Māori songs

'Poi e'

'Poi e' was significant as a Māori-language song that reached number one on the New Zealand music charts in 1984. Dalvanius Prime wrote the tune and Ngoi Pēwhairangi the lyrics. Record companies were not interested in a song in te reo Māori, so Prime set up Maui Records to record and promote 'Poi e'. It became a huge hit for the Pātea Māori Club.  

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Courtesy of Jayrem Records

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How to cite this page:

Piri Sciascia and Paul Meredith, 'Waiata hōu – contemporary Māori songs - Second World War to cultural renaissance', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/44813/poi-e (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Piri Sciascia and Paul Meredith, published 22 Oct 2014